Weirdly, Ruiz may be the toughest fight for Usyk. As another poster pointed out, Witherspoon caught Usyk with a few decent counters. This is probably Usyk's main technical weakness. Ruiz, far more than the other three, doesn't mind throwing when his opponent throws, and he has good power. Ruiz could catch Usyk with a sneaky quick counter like he did AJ.
Sorry but who has Parker dropped, stopped or even hurt at the higher level? (Whyte practically fell over from exhaustion).Parker’s manufactured KO percentage was built against bums and part timers in the NZ outback. Usyk would have a higher KO % against Parker’s opposition...
Usyk looked good last night, still had his speed and still moved around well with the added weight, but the questions on how he copes with the top dogs at heavyweight still remain. He doesn't hit as hard as the top heavyweights, he wasn't even a big puncher at cruiserweight anyway, so I think the only way he beats them has to be to break them down by way of accumulation and being super fit. But we saw him getting tagged clean a few times when he was letting his hands go against Witherspoon, so there are warning signs there. He would've been ring rusty last night and maybe he wasn't that concerned about what Witherspoon was giving back, but if he's that hittable against Wilder or Joshua it could be lights out, but I do think he'd show more caution against either of those two. Ruiz would be dangerous too, if Usyk's power isn't enough to get Ruiz' respect, he could be in trouble if Ruiz can force him into trading punches with him. Usyk can box and move as we know, and that's his key to success at heavyweight. Fury is a different test for him. I think Fury would know how to use his size and reach advantage to outpoint him. Outwith Fury, I'd say he has a good chance of beating any of them, while having a good chance of losing too. Ideally I'd like to see him have at least one more fight against a live heavyweight like a Parker or Povetkin before he goes in against Wilder/Joshua/Ruiz/Fury. My overall summary is Usyk won't be out his depth at heavyweight, but the difference in size, strength and power against the top dogs will always be a factor.
He dropped a roided Whyte hard and had Joshua running all night. Don’t think Joshua would show Usyk’s power the same respect. I’m not saying Parker is some huge punching monster but he’s naturally the bigger and stronger man. You could level the same points at Usyk except at a weight below.
I will reserve judgement until I see what happens when one of the big guys lands a punch on him. Had high hopes for Big Dave Price a few years ago and he was looking good for a crack at Klitschko within 1 year until TT connected with him. Cannot see him being outpointed in a fight. I would go for Spud Ruiz next fight then maybe feast on Pudding Whyte or Pudding Chisora before getting in with Wilder, Fury and Joshua.
I think the question of how Usyk does “at heavyweight” is a red herring. He is a heavyweight himself who has cut down to cruiser, and has previously beaten heavyweights prior to turning pro. Chris Byrd for example did really well “at heavyweight”. When he fought Wlad and Ibeabuchi though he had nothing for them. The key question is how he does in individual style match-ups against fighters with a range of strengths and weaknesses. He’ll be a factor in the division, I think that’s a definite. I don’t think he’ll be dominant, but the same could be said for everyone at the top already. If they were all fighting each other rather than talking about it, everyone would have wins, losses and draws.
Just watched the fight. First impressions are Usyk is tricky enough to give anyone in the top 10 problems but he doesn't have the power, speed or elusiveness to beat the top guys at HW. Witherspoon was the 73rd ranked HW, near 40 and had fought twice in the last 3 years and he still was landing shots and taking Usyk's punches well, clearly Usyk was a level above but the likes of Wilder, Ruiz and AJ would have blasted Witherspoon out inside 3 rounds.
In my eyes, Usyk has already comfortably beaten a few established ‘heavyweights’ in Witherspoon, Bellew and Hunter plus a ‘super heavyweight’ in Joe Joyce back in the WBS. Would just like to see him keep active now with a fight in early 2020 against a Parker or Chisora. With Ruiz/Joshua in Dec and the Wilder/Fury rematch in Feb, Usyk isn’t realistically getting a shot until June. However, my feeling though is the WBO strap will become vacant due to the overdue IBF mandatory. Usyk v Parker for the WBO around March?
I disagree because Ruiz has mediocre footwork, very slow. Usyk also has a big reach advantage on him. Combine that with Usyks genius footwork I cant see Ruiz being in range to land. I think he would get systemically beat up against Usyk. Ruiz has very quick hands but their no good if you dont have reach or footwork to land them.
I think Hearn is banking on AJ winning the rematch and then getting Usyk before he’s truly settled into the division. As an Usyk fan I was satisfied in what he did last night, the Dazn US commentary was horrendous, but I’d like to see him against Parker/Povetkin before going for a title fight.
people at discrediting Usky because he didn't blast the guy out! What on earth were you expecting?? That's isn't Uskys style at all. He showed last night exactly why he will do well. He figures people out then sets a pace that These heavies just can't live with. Yes if somebody lands a big shot he will likely be out of there but that's a critique for most heavies anyway so what the hell are you guys judging this on?
